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Answer: Yes — Isobutylparaben is banned in 1 country/region including European Union. The FDA still allows it in US cosmetics and personal-care products. Risk level: high. Commonly found in: lotion, shampoo, makeup.
TL;DR: Isobutylparaben is banned in the EU but allowed in the US (parabens).
Reviewed for clarity & usefulness by the BannedPantry Parent Panel
INCI name Isobutylparaben. CAS 4247-02-3.
| EU status | Banned |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | high |
| Where it shows up | lotion, shampoo, makeup, deodorant |
| CAS number | 4247-02-3 |
Isobutylparaben is a paraben preservative used to prevent microbial growth in cosmetics.
Parabens are inexpensive, effective broad-spectrum preservatives.
Isobutylparaben is an endocrine-disrupting paraben with weak estrogenic activity. The EU banned it in 2014; it remains unrestricted federally in the US.
For educational use only. This page summarizes the regulatory status of Isobutylparabenwith citations to the primary sources below. It is not medical advice. Regulatory status is not the same as a proven health effect — read the cited sources for their exact wording, and consult a doctor for decisions about your or your family's health.
Choose paraben-free products and EU-compliant brands. BannedPantry flags restricted parabens on the INCI list.
Isobutylparaben is banned under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (1223/2009), but it is allowed in US personal-care products.
Yes — Isobutylparaben can still appear in US-sold cosmetics and personal-care products because US rules are far less restrictive than the EU's.
Read the INCI ingredient list on the back of the package. Scan the barcode with BannedPantry to flag Isobutylparaben automatically.
Yes. Look for EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations; BannedPantry suggests safer swaps when it detects Isobutylparaben.
Scan any product's barcode and instantly see if it contains Isobutylparaben or other ingredients banned overseas.
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